West Springfield man arrested in Pelham in November held on weapons, drugs charges

NORTHAMPTON — A West Springfield man facing additional charges in Franklin County will remain jailed without the right to bail after his arraignment Wednesday in Hampshire Superior Court on drug and weapons charges.

Michael Ruiz, 37, was indicted by a Hampshire County grand jury earlier this month on seven felony counts, including possession of a large-capacity firearm as a person previously convicted of three violent or drug-related crimes, and trafficking in cocaine and fentanyl.

Ruiz was arrested Nov. 28 in Pelham, and was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm, more than 200 grams of cocaine and more than 10 grams of fentanyl, according to court filings. He has prior convictions stretching back to 2004 for assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to distribute, assault and battery, and voluntary manslaughter, court records state.

In a motion arguing for Ruiz’s continued detention, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Thomas said that he has been held without bail since his arraignment April 29 in Orange District Court on drug and weapons charges, and is the subject of a pending warrant out of Hampden Superior Court, probably related to his arrest in Franklin County.

Defense attorney Joseph Smith did not contest the denial of bail, noting that his client was already being held pending a dangerousness hearing.

Judge John Agostini set Ruiz’s next court date for June 12.

James Pentland can be reached at jpentland@gazettenet.com.